Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg outsprinted teammate Stefan de Bod to claim the Elite Men’s title in Sunday’s final day of action at the national road championships in Wellington.
The riders faced some wind on the course, and the 14-lap, 179.5-kilometre race began with the usual early tactics and attempts at breaks from the bunch. The first real move of the day was that of Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Willie Smit, Carl Pasio, Ed Greene, Calvin Beneke and David Maree who formed the ‘leading six ‘ just 20km in.
Missing in action on the day was time trial winner Daryl Impey, who was attending his brother’s wedding, as well as Louis Meintjes and 2016 road champion Jaco Venter, who withdrew due to illness.
It was deep into the race when de Bod took off and he was soon joined by Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (see picture of the two, above).
Another hot topic on the day was Willie Smit, who not only formed part of the initial breakaway group of six riders, but also came across the line in third place to claim the bronze medal and his second podium at the championship.
‘The team was phenomenal today. We had a plan in the morning and I think the race pretty much went to plan,’ said Janse van Rensburg. ‘Everything worked out really well. Guys like Willie were very impressive today, it’s good to see the local guys coming through. But I’m very very happy to take this jersey to Europe,’ he concluded.
The U23 title was claimed by De Bod, with Nicholas Dlamini grabbing the silver medal and Morne van Niekerk coming over the line in third (see podium above). ‘It was amazing team work out there today ‘ said De Bod.
‘It was windy and it’s not exactly a route that suits me, so I’m pretty happy to have pulled it off. I knew I just had to go full gas and see who follows me. In the end it worked out very well.’
In the 128.7km U19 Men’s race, Jason Oosthuizen finished in first place ahead of Devin Shortt in second and third placed Ryan Terry.
‘It was tough at the beginning of the race, because having won the time trial, and having defending champion Devin there – the guys know that we were strong so they weren’t letting us get away,’ said Oosthuizen.
With three laps to go after catching the main break Oosthuizen said that it was merely a defending game until the end. ‘With 150m to go I just put my head down and did what I needed to do,’ he said.
SUMMARY OF FINAL DAY RESULTS
Road Race
Elite Men
1 Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg 4hr 33min 11:272sec
2 Stefan de Bod 4:33:11.668
3 Willie Smit 4:34:35.151
U23 Men
1 Stefan de Bod 4:33:11.668
2 Nicholas Dlamini 4:43:36.649
3 Morne van Niekerk 4:43:36.715
U19 Men
1 Jason Oosthuizen 3:56:05.301
2 Devin Shortt 3:56:05.466
3 Ryan Terry 3:56:05.697